Encore for the WWU Opera Studio: Così fan tutte Receives National Award

The WWU Opera’s April 2016 production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s and Lorenzo da Ponte’s “Così fan tutte” was awarded First Prize in Division 2 of the 2016 Opera Production Competition sponsored by the National Opera Association (“NOA”). The awards will be presented at the Gala Banquet of the NOA National Convention in Santa Barbara, January 5-8, 2017.

The National Opera Association (“NOA”) was founded in 1955 to promote a greater appreciation of opera and music theatre, to enhance pedagogy and performing activities, and to increase performance opportunities by supporting projects that improve the scope and quality of opera. Members in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia participate in a wide array of activities in support of this mission. The NOA has primarily served education and performance activities in academic institutions and small regional opera companies.  WWU was also honored to receive a First Place award in this competition in 2014 for Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Division 3).

The Western production was a collaboration between Stage Director and Designer Amber Sudduth Bone and Musical Director Jay Rozendaal, who also accompanied the performances.  The production featured the design work of WWU students Dylan Cisneros (Assistant Director), Emma Eliason (Chorusmaster), Robert Frederiksen (Scenery), Liana Merrill and Olivia Quigley (Costumes), and Duncan Ogg (Lighting), as well as extensive technical and creative contributions from the cast. Jared Deszo was the production Stage Manager.

Principals in this double-cast production of Così fan tutte were:

Pictured: Amanda Kohler as Dorabella (left) and Yuliya Varavina as Fiordiligi (right). Photo by Charlotte Roulette